If you've come here looking for a trade machine graphic that sends Anthony Davis to the Bulls, you're going to be disappointed.
No, Anthony Davis won't be suiting up for his hometown Bulls next season. But recent news indicates that a team like the Bulls could be a factor in a potential deal involving the New Orleans Pelicans and Davis' eventual destination.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Monday afternoon that GM David Griffin doesn't believe a two-team deal will fulfill his wishes in a Davis deal and that he is "working to find multi-team trade scenarios that could redirect assets for players of picks more preferable to the Pelicans."
What Woj is reporting here, essentially, is that no one team has enough attainable and realistic assets to acquire Davis, who hasn't budged on his demand for a trade request he made back in January.
So, how do the Bulls fit in?
Woj reported that Griffin is "pursuing a combination of assets that include an All-Star player, a young player with All-Star potential and two first-round picks" and that a team trying to deal for Davis could "find a team that hypothetically values its young players more than New Orleans."
Add up both those factors and the Bulls' No. 7 pick for Lonzo Ball comes into play. This is obviously speculation - though Ball has been connected to the Bulls for quite some time this offseason - but if the Pelicans aren't sold on Ball, or simply value the 7th pick more, the Bulls could become a third team in a Davis deal, sending the No. 7 pick to New Orleans in exchange for Ball. The Lakers could send the rest of the package - a combination of Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, the No. 4 pick, future first-round picks - to the Pelicans and get Davis in return.
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Woj also reported that in addition to the Lakers, the Clippers, Knicks and Nets have also inquired about a Davis deal. It's tough to peg who the Bulls could get back in a three-team deal with those involved, but players like Brooklyn's Spencer Dinwiddie or New York's Kevin Knox could be on the table for the No. 7 pick. Again, those are simply names the Bulls might be looking for to fill needs. That's not to say either the Bulls or the team dealing for Davis would be interested in a swap for the 7th pick.
For now, Woj's report simply means the Bulls, owners of that No. 7 pick, could be back in play as a potential trade partner for Davis.